JPH08154199A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make the area displayed on the finder screen for obtaining control information for the photometry, range finding and zooming of a camera, etc., easy to observe. CONSTITUTION: A signal image-picked up by the camera is digital signal- processed, and a luminance signal and chrominance signal are generated. The chrominance signal is gated by a gate part 210 by a gate pulse equivalent to the area from a camera control part 190, and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 222 of a view finder part 220 with the luminance signal. Also, the gate pulse is moved corresponding to a line of sight remarked point on the liquid crystal panel 222 of a line of sight detecting part 224. Therefore, a color image is displayed on the area displayed on the finder screen and a black-and-white image on a part other than the area, which clearly represents the position of the area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device such as a video camera equipped with a color viewfinder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an AE (automatic exposure) photometric area and an AF which are set in the screen of an image taken by a video camera
When displaying (auto focus) distance measurement area, electronic zoom (close-up) area, etc. in the screen of the image displayed on the electronic viewfinder provided in the camera, only display the outer frame of the area. I was doing.

[0003]

However, displaying only the outer frame of the area makes it difficult to determine the position of the area on the screen depending on the content of the back subject. Especially, the tracking area AE and tracking AF, where the metering area and distance measuring area move according to the movement of the subject, or the metering area, distance measuring area, electronic zoom (close-up) by the line-of-sight input function or the jog / shuttle dial. If you can freely set the position such as the area, the frame moves around in the viewfinder screen,
The above problems have been significant.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an image pickup apparatus capable of clearly discriminating the position of an area displayed on a finder.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the invention, an optical signal from a subject incident through a lens is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is subjected to signal processing to generate a luminance signal and a color signal. A gate signal generation unit that generates a gate signal corresponding to the above-mentioned area in an image pickup apparatus that generates the image and provides a specific area in the screen of the imaged image and uses information obtained from the area for the signal processing. And a display means for displaying an image generated from the luminance signal and the gated color signal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the optical signal from the subject incident through the lens is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is subjected to signal processing to generate a luminance signal and a color signal, and an image is picked up. In an image pickup device in which a specific area is provided in a screen of an image and information obtained from this area is used for the signal processing, a position input means for inputting position information of the area in the screen, and the position information. A video signal generated from the gate signal generation means for generating a gate signal corresponding to the area, the gate means for gated the color signal by the gate signal, the luminance signal and the gated color signal. The display means for displaying is provided.

[0007]

According to the invention of claim 1, the color signal is gated by the gate signal generated corresponding to the area, and the gated color signal and the luminance signal are displayed on the display means. On the display screen, a color image is displayed inside the area and a black and white image is displayed outside the area.

According to the invention of claim 2, the color signal is gated by the gate signal generated corresponding to the area,
Since the gated color signal and luminance signal are displayed on the display means, the inside of the area is displayed as a color image and the area outside the area is displayed as a black and white image on the display screen. This color area moves within the display screen according to the position information from the position input means.

[0009]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, as a first embodiment of the present invention,
The signal processing system is digital, and has a close-up (digital effect) function for enlarging a part of the screen as a special effect function, and a line-of-sight input function for setting the position of the enlarging portion according to the line-of-sight input from the viewfinder. The image pickup apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image pickup apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for explaining a color liquid crystal panel screen display of a close-up viewfinder when a line-of-sight input function is OFF. , Fig. 3 (a)
(B) is a figure explaining the color liquid crystal panel screen display of a close-up viewfinder at the time of a gaze input function ON.

In FIG. 1, 110 is a lens for forming an image of a subject, 120 is a diaphragm for adjusting the amount of light, 130 is an image pickup section for converting input light into an electric signal, 140 is a sample and hold section for performing sample and hold, Reference numeral 150 is an AGC unit for automatically controlling the gain, 160 is a digital signal processing unit for digitally processing an input signal to generate a luminance signal and a color signal, and 170 is an encoder for generating a video signal from the luminance signal and the color signal. Numeral 180 denotes a digital effect section for obtaining a special effect such as close-up using a field memory, 190 denotes a camera control section for controlling each section, 200
Is a switch unit for performing each operation of the image pickup apparatus and the line-of-sight input function, ON / OFF of the close-up function, and the like, 210 is a gate unit that gates a color signal, and 220 is a viewfinder unit that displays a captured image.

In the digital signal processing section 160, 1
Reference numeral 61 is an A / D converter for analog-digital conversion,
162 is Y / that separates the input signal into a luminance signal and a chrominance signal.
C separation unit, 163 is a Y signal processing unit that processes a luminance signal,
Reference numeral 164 is a C signal processing unit for processing color signals, 165 is a modulation unit for digital balanced modulation, and 166 and 167 are D / A conversion units for performing digital-analog conversion.

In the viewfinder section 220, 22
1 is a signal processing unit for processing a gated video signal, 22
Reference numeral 2 is a color liquid crystal panel for displaying an image, 223 is a panel drive unit for driving the color liquid crystal panel 222, and 224 is a position on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222 where the photographer's line of sight is located and the position of the gazing point thereof is detected. It is a line-of-sight detection unit that outputs information, and is located adjacent to the color liquid crystal panel 222.

Next, the operation of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The amount of light from the subject received by the lens 110 is adjusted by the diaphragm 120 and is imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging unit 130. After being converted into an electrical signal here,
It is input to the digital signal processing section 160 via the sample and hold section 140 and the AGC section 150. In the digital signal processing unit 160, the A / D conversion unit 161 performs analog-digital conversion, and the Y / C separation unit 162 separates the luminance signal and the color signal. The luminance signal is the Y signal processing unit 16
In 3, the color signal is subjected to predetermined processing by the C signal processing unit 164, and then output from the digital signal processing unit 160 to the digital effect unit 180 once. In the digital effect unit 180, after the special effect processing is performed according to the information from the camera control unit 190, the luminance signal is output to the D / A conversion unit 166 and the color signal is output to the modulation unit 165 in the digital signal processing unit 160. To be done.

The luminance signal is digital-analog converted by the D / A converter 166, and the color signal is digitally balanced-modulated by the modulator 165 and then digital-analog converted by the D / A converter 167. The luminance signal is the encoder unit 1
The color signal is output to the encoder unit 170 and the gate unit 210 to the 70 and the viewfinder unit 220. The encoder unit 170 generates a video signal from the luminance signal and the color signal, and the video signal is supplied to the outside of the image pickup apparatus. In the gate unit 210, the color signal is gated by the gate pulse from the camera control unit 190, and the color signal is output to the viewfinder unit 220. Viewfinder section 2
At 20, the signal processing unit 221 processes the video signal for display on the color liquid crystal panel 222 and outputs the processed video signal to the color liquid crystal panel 222. Color liquid crystal panel 222
Is driven by the panel driving unit 223 to display the imaged image.

On the other hand, the line-of-sight detection unit 224 irradiates the cornea of the photographer's eye with infrared light while the photographer is looking through the color liquid crystal panel 222, and the corneal reflection image on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222. Detect the gazing point of the photographer. The detailed principle and structure are known and will not be described. The detected gazing point position information is the camera control unit 190.
Is output to The camera control unit 190 includes a switch unit 20.
Depending on the state of 0, the digital effect section 180 and the gate section 21
0 and each part are controlled.

Next, the camera control unit 1 in the ON / OFF state of each switch for turning on / off the line-of-sight input function and the close-up function in the switch unit 200.
The control of each unit by 90 will be described. When both the line-of-sight input function and the close-up function are OFF, the digital effect unit 180, by the control signal of the camera control unit 190,
The gate unit 210 outputs the input signal as it is, and the line-of-sight detection unit 224 stops operating. Therefore, the captured image is displayed on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222 as it is in full screen color.

Next, when the line-of-sight input function is OFF and the close-up function is ON, the enlargement area A set in the captured image shown in FIG. 2A is displayed in the digital effect section 180 by the control signal of the camera control section 190. , The input luminance signal and color signal are processed and output so as to be enlarged to fill the screen. Further, the gate unit 210 outputs the input signal as it is, and the eye-gaze detecting unit 224 stops operating. Therefore, the image shown in FIG. 2B is displayed in full screen color on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222. Expansion area A
The position and size of are to be set in advance.

Next, when the line-of-sight input function is ON and the close-up function is OFF, the digital effect unit 180 outputs the input luminance signal and color signal as they are according to the control signal of the camera control unit 190. Further, the line-of-sight detection unit 224 is operated to detect the gazing point of the photographer and output the gazing point position information to the caramel control unit 190. The camera control unit 190 uses the gazing point position information to center the gazing point P as shown in FIG.
A gate pulse corresponding to the enlarged area B in the image shown in (a) is generated and output to the gate unit 210. Here, the X mark in the enlarged area B in FIG. 3A is the gazing point P.

The gate section 210 gates and outputs the input color signal by the gate pulse. Therefore, on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222, an image in which the inside of the enlarged area B in the image shown in FIG. 3A is in color and the outside of the enlarged area B is in black and white is displayed. The enlarged area B moves within a range that does not extend from the screen according to the movement of the gazing point on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222 of the viewfinder of the photographer. The initial position and size of the enlarged area B are
It is assumed to be set in advance.

Next, when the close-up function is turned on in this state, the digital effect section 180 enlarges the enlarged area B in the screen shown in FIG. The luminance signal and the color signal input as described above are processed and output. Further, the gate pulse from the camera control unit 190 is stopped, the gate unit 210 outputs the input signal as it is, and the line-of-sight detection unit 22
No. 4 is inactive. Therefore, the color liquid crystal panel 222
The image shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the screen in full screen color.

As mentioned above, the close-up function is ON.
Then, the line-of-sight input function is stopped regardless of whether the switch is ON or OFF.

In the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, when the area position for close-up is set by the line-of-sight input function, the inside of the area of the image displayed on the color viewfinder is colored and the outside of the area is black and white. However, the present invention is effective even if the specific area provided in the screen is a photometric area of AE, a distance measuring area of AF, etc., and is limited by the use of the area. is not.

For example, in the case of an AE photometric area, if the area position can be freely set as in the above-described embodiment, the inside of the area is colored and the outside of the area is black and white when and after the area is set. In the case of what is called a tracking AE in which the area is moved by tracking the subject, the inside of the area is colored and the outside of the area is black and white during tracking. When the metering system can be switched between full and partial metering, the area is colored in color and the area outside is monochrome in partial metering. And so on. Further, as described above, the present invention can be implemented even when the area position is fixed. Furthermore, the special effect may be an effect other than the close-up of the electronic zoom.

Although the line-of-sight input function is used as the area setting means in the first embodiment of the present invention, a jog / shuttle dial or a touch panel may be used as the position input means for area setting. Further, although a color liquid crystal panel is used as a display unit for displaying an image on the viewfinder, a color CRT or the like may be used.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below in the case of the AE photometric area shown in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image pickup apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a photometric area at the time of partial photometry. Blocks equivalent to those in FIG. . In FIG. 4, 41
Reference numeral 0 is a signal processing unit that processes an input signal to generate a luminance signal and a chrominance signal. Reference numeral 420 is a gate unit that gates the input signal.
30 is an integrating circuit for integrating the gated signal, 440
Is a D / A converter for digital-analog conversion, 45
Reference numeral 0 is a comparator for comparison, 460 is an aperture drive unit for driving the aperture 120, 470 is a camera control unit for controlling each unit, 4
Reference numeral 80 denotes a switch unit for performing each operation of the image pickup apparatus and switching of photometric methods (full-area photometry / partial photometry) and the like, 490 is a viewfinder unit for displaying a captured image, a signal processing unit 221,
It is composed of a color liquid crystal panel 222 and a panel driving unit 223.

Next, the operation of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The output signal of the sample and hold unit 140 is
It is supplied to the AGC unit 150 and the gate unit 420. AG
The signal whose gain is controlled by the C unit 150 is sent to the signal processing unit 41.
A predetermined process is performed at 0 to generate a luminance signal and a color signal. The luminance signal is output to the encoder unit 170 and the viewfinder unit 490, and the color signal is output to the encoder unit 170 and the gate unit 210. In the gate unit 210 and the viewfinder unit 490, by the control of the camera control unit 470,
The image is picked up and displayed on the panel of the color liquid crystal panel 222 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, in the gate section 420, the signal is gated by the gate pulse from the camera control section 470, and the signal is output to the integrating circuit 430. Integrating circuit 430
The signal integrated by is compared with the exposure control reference signal from the D / A converter 440 that supplies a certain voltage under the control of the camera controller 470 by the comparator 450, and the difference is output to the diaphragm driver 460. To be done. The diaphragm drive unit 460 drives the diaphragm 120 in a direction to eliminate the difference.
The camera control unit 470 controls each unit according to the state of the switch unit 480.

When the light metering method is set to the whole surface metering in the switch unit 480, the camera control unit 470 does not generate the gate pulse, and the gate units 210 and 420 output the input signal as it is. Further, the D / A conversion unit 440 outputs an exposure control reference signal corresponding to the entire surface photometry by the control signal of the camera control unit 470, and the diaphragm 120 is controlled so that the integral value of the entire screen becomes an appropriate value. According to this, the captured image is displayed on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222 as it is in full screen color.

Next, when the photometry method is set to partial photometry in the switch section 480, the camera control section 470 generates a gate pulse corresponding to the photometry area C in the screen shown in FIG. 5 and outputs it to the gate sections 210 and 420. To do. Gate part 21
At 0 and 420, the signal input by the gate pulse is gated and output. In addition, the D / A conversion unit 440 outputs an exposure control reference signal corresponding to partial photometry according to the control signal of the camera control unit 470, and the diaphragm 120 sets the integrated value of the photometry area C in the screen shown in FIG. 5 to an appropriate value. Controlled to be. As a result, on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 222, an image in which the inside of the photometric area C is color and the outside of the photometric area is black and white is displayed on the screen shown in FIG. The position and size of the photometric area C are preset.

In the second embodiment of the present invention described above, when the photometry system is switched from full-scale photometry to partial photometry, color
The inside of the partial photometric area C of the image displayed on the viewfinder is colored, and the outside of the area is black and white. The position of the photometric area C is fixed, but it is similar to the line-of-sight input function of the first embodiment. If a means for inputting various position information is provided, it can be freely set like the enlarged area B of the first embodiment.

[0031]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, areas such as an AE photometry area, an AF distance measurement area, and an electronic zoom (close-up) area which are set in the screen of a photographed image. Is displayed on the screen of the image displayed on the display means such as a color viewfinder, the inside of the area is displayed in color, and the outside of the area is displayed in black and white. Has the effect of facilitating.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a tracking AE in which the photometric area and the distance measuring area move in accordance with the movement of the subject, a so-called tracking AF, or a line-of-sight input function, a jog / shuttle dial, or the like is used. Metering area,
It is possible to freely set the position of areas such as the distance measurement area and electronic zoom (close-up) area. When the area moves around in the display screen, the color area moves around, making it even easier to determine the position of the area. It has the effect of making it easier.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a display example of a finder according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing another display example of the finder according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a display example of a finder according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 lens 130 image pickup device 160 digital signal processing unit 163 Y signal processing unit 164 C signal processing unit 180 digital effect unit 190 camera control unit 210 gate unit 220 viewfinder unit 222 liquid crystal panel 224 line-of-sight detection unit 410 signal processing unit 420 gate unit 470 Camera control section 490 Viewfinder section

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An optical signal from a subject incident through a lens is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is subjected to signal processing to generate a luminance signal and a color signal, and at the same time, is specified within a screen of a captured image. In the image pickup device in which the area is provided and the information obtained from this area is used for the signal processing, gate signal generation means for generating a gate signal corresponding to the area, and the color signal is gated by the gate signal. An image pickup apparatus comprising: gate means; and display means for displaying an image generated from the luminance signal and the gated color signal. 2. An optical signal from a subject incident through a lens is converted into an electric signal, the electric signal is subjected to signal processing to generate a luminance signal and a color signal, and at the same time, it is specified in a screen of a captured image. In the image pickup device, which is provided with a region of (1) and the information obtained from this region is used for the signal processing, a position input means for inputting position information of the region within the screen, and a region input according to the position information. A gate signal generation unit that generates a corresponding gate signal, a gate unit that gates the color signal by the gate signal, and a display unit that displays an image generated from the luminance signal and the gated color signal. An imaging device characterized by the above. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area is at least one of a photometry area, a distance measurement area, and a special effect area. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the special effect area is a close-up area by electronic zoom. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position input means is a line-of-sight detection means for detecting the position of the point of gaze of the line of sight on the screen of the display means.